Nice Angle

Purpose: To learn how the Sun's angle affects the temperature on Earth

Materials

• one sheet of black paper
• weather thermometer
• flashlight
• ruler
• tape

Procedure

1. Lay the thermometer on the paper.
2. Tape the ruler to the underside of the flashlight so that 12 cm of the ruler is sticking out to where the beam will shine.
3. Hold the flashlight so that the beam shines directly down onto the thermometer. The ruler will keep the flashlight 12 cm from the thermometer.
4. Observe and record the temperature after 5 minutes.
5. Let the thermometer return to room temperature.
6. Repeat the experiment, only this time hold the flashlight at approximately a 45-degree angle in relation to the thermometer. Make sure the flashlight is still about 12 cm from the thermometer.
7. Observe and record the temperature after 5 minutes.

Conclusion

1. Which "Sun" angle produced the higher temperature?
2. Where on the Earth do the Sun's rays hit the most directly year round?
3. Where on the Earth do the Sun's rays hit at an angle?
4. Why do some areas of the Earth receive direct rays and others angled rays?
5. What other major weather occurrence is caused by the angle of the Sun's rays on the tilted Earth?
6. How could the tree house detectives use this information to understand where hurricanes are likely to form?

Extension
Predict what would happen if the Earth was not tilted.